The Ultimate Octopus Quiz

Octopuses are mysterious sea-creatures that always seem to intrigue young children. Octopuses are smarter and more talented than you may think. They even have a unique defense mechanism to protect them against predators. Take this quiz and learn about the mysteries of the octopus.

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Question 1 of 20

A male pillow octopus is ______ a female pillow octopus.

lighter than

A female pillow octopus is 40,000 times heavier than a male pillow octopus.

heavier than

the same weight as

Question 2 of 20

How do pillow octopuses mate?

The male octopus has sperm in his arm.

The male octopus has sperm in one of his arms, which he actually tears off and gives to a female octopus. Talk about a romantic gift!

They mate with typical sex organs.

The male octopus has sperm in his head.

Question 3 of 20

What does an octopus feel like?

a snake

the inside of your cheek

An octopus feels like the inside of your cheek. An octopus is actually not slimy.

sand paper

Question 4 of 20

Octopuses use their arms for:

moving around

tasting

both of the above

Octopuses arms are very versatile. They use their arms for moving around, feeling and tasting.

Question 5 of 20

Octopuses are related to:

clams

snails

both of the above

Octopuses belong to the phylum mollusca. Clams, snails and slugs are their closest relatives.

Question 6 of 20

Why are octopuses referred to as cephalopods?

because they have many long arms

because their arms protrude out of their head

Cephalopod means “head-footed”. Therefore, octopuses are given the name cephalopod because their arms protrude directly from their head.

both of the above

Question 7 of 20

Octopuses have:

only arms

Many people make the mistake by saying octopuses have tentacles. In reality, octopuses only have arms, which they use to do just about everything.

arms and tentacles

arms and antennas

Question 8 of 20

What is found inside an octopus's mantle?

hearts

digestive system

both of the above

The mantle is a muscle-like structure where all of the octopus's organs are found, including the heart, digestive system and reproductive glands.

Question 9 of 20

How do octopuses protect themselves from predators?

camouflage

Chameleons can learn a thing or two from octopuses. Octopuses have sophisticated camouflage abilities.

a hard protective shell

poisonous arms

Question 10 of 20

What color is octopus blood?

red

green

blue

Octopuses have blue blood, because a copper-containing protein binds to oxygen in their blood.

Question 11 of 20

How many hearts does an octopus have?

two

three

An octopus's blood does a bad job of circulating oxygen. Therefore, octopuses need three hearts to ensure good oxygen circulation.

four

Question 12 of 20

Chromatophores allow an octopus to:

reproduce

regenerate arms

change color

Chromatophores are pigmented cells that are found all over an octopus's body. These cells contain three colors and allow the octopus to blend in with its surroundings.

Question 13 of 20

How quickly can an octopus change color?

less than a second

The color-changing quality of an octopus is controlled by the nervous system. This means an octopus can change color in less than a second.

less than a minute

less than a hour

Question 14 of 20

What are iridophores?

reflective cells

The octopus also has numerous iridophores, which are reflective cells, all over its body. These reflective cells help accentuate the camouflage effect.

color cells

receptor cells

Question 15 of 20

An octopus's eyesight is:

non-existent

mediocre

very good

The anatomy of an octopus's eyes is similar to the human eye. Octopuses can easily see their prey and predators.

Question 16 of 20

An octopus's brain is:

very small

highly evolved

both of the above

An octopus may have a small brain, but it has a rather complex nervous system.

Question 17 of 20

An octopus's arms are mainly composed of:

muscle

Octopuses are very strong. Their arms are composed primarily of muscle, giving them the ability to tear through plexiglass.

fatty tissue

nerves

Question 18 of 20

Octopuses are:

nomadic

nocturnal

both of the above

Octopuses hunt for their food only at night and relocate their home every few weeks.

Question 19 of 20

What is the activity level of a typical octopus?

very lazy

Octopuses are known for being lazy, spending most of their time immobile in their den.

somewhat active

hyperactive

Question 20 of 20

A typical octopus lives for:

a few years

Octopuses generally have a very short lifespan, about three to five years.